[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6378600,"mediaKeyId","2137254-3041e2af841691758761b7101e8dc08c","parentId",2137254,"title","Committee hears proposal to tie K‑12 transportation to per‑pupil payment while keeping separate funding bucket","audioSeconds",2574,"startMs",79000,"endMs",2653000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2137254-3041e2af841691758761b7101e8dc08c&start=79&end=2653","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2137254-3041e2af841691758761b7101e8dc08c/thumbnail_79000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6378600/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-proposal-to-tie-K12-transportation-to-perpupil-payment-while-keeping-separate-funding-bucket","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6378600-e584a3f24e46cf6fda07d51b4d24a232/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437772&Signature=HmGF5XZdk8qK97VjGfdqQ0XN12yykGOuPV5NmByLv-KSe-XL~XzP0Yk~ZPY3QSOg2~XojNl-1-BItnytjPFNbdUzgrdUqMQ7XUWvHEubTKVK-~yoW6E9D1SDUar854JksS5Zwl6BeT~y-acFxRpqpHFPQ6jQG8Wiwehn5Y7T6GUeOiyCtF48MRDNzZTHjPNp55RI7li5RG27VHx-X8UIRPpPDqn3dMrWmEGsygmjcnp3YnzAKlp5uaOV~WY4JpctFdN5PB-uVGURCGZJ0MKBx6mPNE1sSW1aJnhtULS3SFVGBCnsWIXJ9gZ-dsh-sIRkXb6R-UNzEE8yce3zYmRc8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Education, ND","date","2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 1214 would change how North Dakota funds K‑12 student transportation by linking transportation payments to the state per‑pupil payment while keeping transportation as a separate “bucket” of dollars rather than folding it directly into foundation aid.

Supporters told the House Education Committee that the bill is intended to end the practice of treating transportation as a budget “leftover” and to create a predictable entitlement that moves when the per‑pupil payment moves. Representative David Richter, prime sponsor, told the committee, \"House Bill 1214 comes out of the interim funding task force,\" and that the bill’s aim is to integrate transportation funding with the formula without eliminating a discrete transportation allocation.

Proponents stressed the bill is an initial, conservative step that uses existing data and limits new reporting requirements. Burleigh County Superintendent Brandt [last name not specified], president of North Dakota Small Organized Schools, said the bill would eliminate the most problematic reporting element — annual ridership counts — and instead convert transportation expenditures into “generated students” that are multiplied by the per‑pupil payment to determine each district’s transportation payment. Mackenzie County Superintendent Steve Holden, who worked on the UND study cited by proponents, said the formula adds two district‑level factors that districts cannot easily manipulate: square miles of the district and number of buildings served. He said those two factors met statistical significance in the UND work and “start to look at what your district is and does as to what it’s gonna get funded at.”

Presenters and superintendents repeatedly described this as a multi‑phase approach rather than a final, comprehensive fix. Holden said the bill removes ridership as a driver because day‑to‑day ridership reporting lacks statistical reliability and is easily manipulated; instead the formula will rely mainly on bus miles and runs plus the two new, DPI‑available factors. He said the bill would generate modest gains for most districts and only minimal negative impacts for a very small number of districts. Holden told the committee the change does not make North Dakota reach any target percentage (for example, the 70 percent funding benchmark sometimes discussed in policy conversations), but provides a vehicle for gradual improvements in future sessions.

Rural superintendents emphasized local operating pressures. Kidder County Superintendent Rick Diegal said his district’s transportation budget is about $600,000 — roughly 10 percent of a $6 million district budget — and said state reimbursement averaged about 58 percent of his transportation costs over the last three years. He told the committee driver recruitment and rising vehicle costs are already forcing route reductions: his district reduced routes last year because it could not find a driver, even though miles did not decline. Diegal and others said school bus prices have risen sharply; one witness estimated new large buses now cost on the order of $150,000 each, and that prior federal or state bus grant programs (Volkswagen and clean‑energy grants) had previously provided substantial purchase discounts that are now diminishing.

Committee members probed how urban districts would be affected. Speakers said larger, multi‑school districts are likely to see increases under the new factors because they have more runs and buildings; Holden and Brandt both said Fargo and Bismarck would see higher generated amounts in initial modeling. Supporters said that outcome reflected underlying cost structures — more runs and more school buildings drive expenses — and that the formula attempts to address equity across different district geographies.

No formal amendments were adopted on the record; Representative Richter notified members he planned to offer an amendment that would keep transportation funding in a separate bucket (not counted inside the foundation aid weighting) and said the committee should adopt the amendment when the bill reached that point. Proponents repeatedly described the amendment as necessary to preserve the bill’s intent (that generated students not be counted in the school size weighting step of the foundation formula).

The committee heard no formal opposition and no neutral testimony at the hearing. Witnesses filed written testimony and supporting materials, including underlying UND analysis and a proposed amendment document distributed to committee members.

Proponents asked lawmakers to adopt the bill with the amendment to protect small districts from unintended weighting effects and to give districts more reliable transportation funding when the legislature sets per‑pupil payments in future budgets.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Education Jan 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 1214 would link K‑12 transportation payments to the state per‑pupil payment while preserving transportation as a separate allotment, supporters told the House Education Committee.","taxTitle","Education, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28889,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6378590,"Bill to shorten eligibility for lifetime teacher licenses from 30 to 20 years draws mixed testimony",3574,7205000,10779000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2137254-3041e2af841691758761b7101e8dc08c&start=7205&end=10779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2137254-3041e2af841691758761b7101e8dc08c/thumbnail_7205000.jpg","/articles/6378590/North-Dakota/Bill-to-shorten-eligibility-for-lifetime-teacher-licenses-from-30-to-20-years-draws-mixed-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6378590-aed1218a1971eb44a3ccb6367166d13a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437772&Signature=IUf9OWDFqibUH4yoybtRTvAYNFQFa8CMChShaBxyecqksQXLwDG8ertQL7TM6FJN-T3ssh9vZ6Pz0HYpWrTekEwpu1uh3FFuC8cQyVlf6aeaT~ZqEglRw1jPzUnMXP39oyvOAvPEkZSLpPIKAqRyJe3aaAX1quaSnAQ1~PywGoLJ8Nd~2IVrjerxjcSAlpqJUDxt38TihOtLrDTzgMHiK1o0pk-3ruKKMLLoHq~PM9L32VTjQP03uhRzAslbQMhkr8XurmZH3txiGzkVY8vjyeOCFkc4MvjpCe81om2B2r094jqtAvogKi61lGk0wb22xt557bOqsjez~u3NX2KGtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1238 would lower the years‑of‑service threshold for lifetime teacher licensure from 30 years (current ESPB practice) to 20 years, making educators who meet other qualifications eligible to stop routine license renewals and the continuing‑education credits now required for relicensure.

Representative Zach Ischter, sponsor, told the House Education Committee the proposal is intended to reduce out‑of‑pocket costs for veteran teachers and modestly improve retention. \"An average educator could save upwards of $1,000 in out‑of‑pocket expenses,\" Ischter said, estimating the change would eliminate two renewal cycles under current practice and reduce both hourly and tuition costs for long‑tenured teachers. Supporters including North Dakota United, the North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders and several district superintendents testified that the bill recognizes sustained professional experience while retaining ESPB authority to discipline licensees when warranted.

Nick Archuleta of North Dakota United and Kevin Hohertz of the North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders both urged a due‑pass recommendation, saying lifetime licensure is a mark of professional recognition and noting ongoing district‑level professional development remains in place. Joe Drum, a school representative, said his district would see about 14 percent of staff (123 of 891 employees) qualify under a 20‑year threshold and said the bill would preserve accountability while reducing burdens that now push some experienced educators out of the workforce.

The Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB), represented by Executive Director Rebecca Pitkin, opposed the bill in its present form. Pitkin told the committee the board has considered the issue and recommended no change to current 30‑year practice. ESPB argued continuing professional development supports evolving classroom needs — technology, the science of reading and math, trauma‑informed practices and other developments — and noted that a recent survey of state licensing boards showed 83 percent require continuing education for license renewal. ESPB also emphasized the value of periodic self‑reporting during renewal as a safety check; sponsors responded by adding language that would preserve board authority to require periodic reporting or inquiry for lifetime licensees.

Corey Steiner, chair of the ESPB, repeated board concerns in more detail and suggested a middle ground could be explored (for example, 25 years) while preserving mechanisms that ensure public safety and currency of professional practice. The Department of Public Instruction provided information about the North Dakota Education Hub, an online platform that offers no‑cost or low‑cost professional development and a transcript option (through Valley City State University) so coursework taken in the hub can generate formal credit without traditional university enrollment; DPI said the hub has more than 4,000 unique users and 68 courses currently open for enrollment.

Committee members asked about the magnitude of potential cost savings, how many educators would newly qualify under a 20‑year rule, and whether the change would be extended to other licensed education professionals (counselors, librarians, administrators). Ischter estimated savings for an average educator at about $1,000. The sponsor and opponents agreed the conversation deserved further stakeholder work; ESPB urged a cooperative process to reach a solution that preserves public safety and continuous professional learning while addressing retention pressures.

The hearing record contained both pro and con testimony; ESPB requested additional discussion and stakeholder consultation before enactment. The committee left the matter open for further action.","House Bill 1238 would reduce the service requirement for a lifetime teaching license from 30 years to 20, supporters said, citing reduced out‑of‑pocket costs and modest retention benefits.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6378595,"Committee considers bill allowing local boards to substitute one required credit in emergent cases",1509,3776000,5285000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2137254-3041e2af841691758761b7101e8dc08c&start=3776&end=5285","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2137254-3041e2af841691758761b7101e8dc08c/thumbnail_3776000.jpg","/articles/6378595/North-Dakota/Committee-considers-bill-allowing-local-boards-to-substitute-one-required-credit-in-emergent-cases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6378595-5b2c8af5f00af5560ec90326c3fab307/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437772&Signature=g7BQqb5Bi0Prb6R6DlRnDhmvTkTzxhJwqEh~90lxvniPzUyRGBThGJODHeqJD~Yw~7UayElzVjclTmrJ-GNWjIjz8wnTEu1comRvOblFrLQIcrxs-KJiKv0GCoxI34oteLvTRNJkzVZUW0gBQ~VCTp2l76PoGD8bYLIFDVWsL8hNZfX~X03Bc0WUH-EVaI5vZCm-h7rZ-FROMwJE9rPeplqZg1zxmMFooCxqgTLaiQOaWX1V-xmW40CjuPn1AlIGgp9xv2mUZr4U4GL9VM7mBQiQtjqdqyL5hmhNBlDytsPG0xkObwhy1oA~Gh4U8HDeLAXXKkmL4IlY3hF2tPuuzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1200 would let a local school board substitute an already completed elective or dual‑credit course for one required unit of credit for high‑school graduation when an “emergent circumstance” prevents a student from completing the required course.

Sponsor Representative Scott Lausser told the House Education Committee the bill was driven by a real case and asked members to hear the student’s story directly. Doctor Samantha Bridal, dean of academics at Bishop Ryan Catholic School in Minot, testified that a senior, Tyanna (sometimes transcribed as “Diana”) Weeks, was seriously injured on Jan. 31, 2024, in a crash that required months of specialized rehabilitation. Bridal described the injuries and recovery timeline on the record: “Tyanna suffered life threatening injuries and she was unable to return to school before graduation,” she said, explaining staff and hospital educators used limited communication methods to complete coursework while Weeks was hospitalized.

Bridal said Weeks completed almost all required units but lacked a half unit of economics, which Century Code lists alongside U.S. history and government as components tied to graduation requirements. Bridal told the committee that school staff and hospital educators worked to have Weeks complete the material during hospitalization — including nonverbal responses in the hospital setting — and the school arranged a hospital graduation ceremony — but Century Code’s existing phrasing left no administrative path for the district to substitute an alternate completed course.

Witnesses and DPI staff said the proposed language would allow local boards to craft policies for rare, emergent situations rather than creating a broad waiver. Jim Uphgren of the Department of Public Instruction said the department would need to change guidance documents and implementation materials if the statute were amended; DPI also said it would consider handbook and guidance updates after session. Witnesses stressed the bill does not remove statewide credit standards in ordinary circumstances; it creates a narrowly framed local option for emergencies.

Committee members asked technical questions about the scope and mechanics. Some concerns raised included defining “emergent circumstance,” ensuring substitutions are tied to completed coursework (the bill’s language uses the word “substitute” rather than “waive”), and whether existing optional‑curriculum paths (which allow fewer credits under specific conditions) would apply. Committee members also asked whether center‑based or distance‑learning credits and dual credit courses were covered; witnesses said existing approved courses — including dual credit and approved distance‑learning courses — were intended to be included.

No formal opposition was recorded on the hearing record. The committee closed the public hearing after members discussed the bill’s narrow scope and likely need for DPI to update guidance documents to implement any statutory change.

If passed, the measure would require school boards to adopt local policies and DPI to update public guidance and forms so districts and families understand when and how the substitution can be used.","House Bill 1200 would permit a local school board to substitute an alternative completed course for one required graduation unit under emergent circumstances, supporters said at the House Education Committee hearing after they described a student injured in a car crash who completed nearly all work but missed a half‑unit requirement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears proposal to tie K‑12 transportation to per‑pupil payment while keeping separate funding bucket

Bill to shorten eligibility for lifetime teacher licenses from 30 to 20 years draws mixed testimony

Committee considers bill allowing local boards to substitute one required credit in emergent cases